Mechanically-actuated diaphragm-horn.



J. WLJONES.

MECHANICALLY ACTUA'TED DIAPHRAGNI HORN. APPLlcATloN F|LED1uNE23,|911.

1,173,584. l Patented Feb.29,1916.

` 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A i we."

I. W. JONES.

MECHANICALLY ACTUATED DIAPHRAGM HORN. APPLICATION FILED IUNE23`, I9II.

1,173,584. Patented Feb.29,1916. n 2 sIIEETs-sIIEET 2. c? I NVENTOR@MANOR/1&7

' iinirnp sTATns PATENT lifFICE;

JOSEPH WILLIAM JONES, or NEWYORK, N. Y., AssIGNoB., BY iiiiasiitsassrsniannirs,

T0 LOVELLMCCONNELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A Cl OIF DELA- WARE.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH JONES,

a citizen of the United States, andresident y I f Mechanically-ActuatedDiaphragm-Horns,v

of which the following` is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of alarm or signalingdevices,especially suitable for use on vehicles, boats, factories andfor other purposescalling for the production of a loud, imperative note,in which the sound is ,generated by a vibratory `dia phragm actuated`mechanically and'- prefer- 7 ably by power means.

Such a signal vcomprises a diaphragm, preferably of spring metal andpreferably immovably clamped about its margins, a

suitable projector for confining the propagation of the sound to thedesireddirection and preferably so constructed as' to constitute aresonator, driving means of which the preferred embodiment is anelectricmotor, and suitable mechanical means or connections whereby the`rotary movement of the armature or power shaft causes bodily vibratoryto and fro movement of the dia-I ingr lcani teeth arranged` to exertoutward thrusts directly on a wear-piece or anvil secured to or formedon the diaphragm. The armature or drive shaft has been arranged parallelto the diaphragm. and the cam Specification of Letters Patent.

Ameer iAnIcALLY.nc'rimfrnn DIArHnAeM-nonnf Patented nei). 29, 1916.

Application filed .T une 23,1911. Serial 319.634,913.

rigid, and further that an intermedi-ate connectlon be interposedbetween the rotary caniy member and the diaphragm, so that the thrust orefforts' of the former may be communicated to the latter more orlessin'4 directly. In these ways, the rack and wear on the diaphragm may begreatly reduced. At the same time by .the use of a resilientintermediate member which is distinctly stiff, the loudness and'urgencyof the sound is'not materially lessened, and there is sufficientcapacity for yielding,` effectively to guard against damage tothediaphragm in event of the occurrence of serious interference between themoving parts.A

A further advantageof the use ofan intermediate movable part whetheryielding or not is that the efforts impressed upon the diaphragm may bedirect outward thrusts with little or no lateral component, so that thetwisting or cantina' effect-of a cam tooth acting directly .on thediaphragm or diaphragm projection is avoided.

In connection with such an interliiediate` member I may employ a rotarycam with peripheral teeth, because of the cheapness and durability ofsuch an actuator.

With these objects in view I haveA deliorn possessing numerousnovel andimportant features of construction. The rosig-iie'd amechanicallyactuated diaphragm tary actuator is shown herein as a rotary cani withperipheral teeth, and the driving shaft on which it is mounted ispreferably arrangedperpendicular or at a high angle tol the'diaphrag'm,so that the motor may.

beV included within the cylindrical projection of the marginal diaphragmclamps.

Between the rotary actuator and the diaphragm I intel-pose anindependently movable member, preferably a lever of the second order.This lever is preferably ful# cruined by `being` mounted at one end 0n astationary support, and extends across the face of the rotary canimember, with a latspring tongue having one end clamped immovably to thesupport, thence extending and engaging across the cani, preferably onthe face more remote thereof Where the rotary cam is formed so as to actradially, the lever may be bent or curved so that its free end portionis disposed opposite the periphery of the-cam to receive the thrusts'aof thecam teeth. Preferably this powerreceiving portion is providedwith a suitably secured wear-piece or anvil for riding engagement withthe cam teeth. Intermediate its ends the tongue or spring lever performsits work to vibrate the diaphragm. A spring lever so formed is admirablyadapted to transform the thrusts exerted by the cam teeth radially andparallel to the diaphragm into movement toward the diaphragm atsubstantially right angles to the direction of thrust. The capacity ofthe lever to bend slightly and to establish virtual pivots at differentpoints along its length. when the thrust is exerted on the laterallyprojecting wear-receiving portion, increases the component which iseffective in producing vibration of the body portion of the lever toandfrom the diaphragm and ydecreases the component which is expended asa pull upon its anchorage.

The spring tongue is preferably broad; yinsome instances 'it may be asroad or broader than long,- In this way I secure stiffness and enduranceWithout rendering the14 tongue so rigid.

Obviously the body portion of the tongue may contact directly with theface of the dipphragm, but-I prefer to provide a constid as to beapproximately j tact piece; andin fact both the diaphragm and tongueare' preferably so provided. O ne of the contact pieces may beadjustable with reference to the other; by preference the diaphragmpiece is the one adjustable.

The tongue or spring lever may constitute either a primary vibratormoving` freely between the actuator and the diaphragm and inducingvibration in the latter, or a thrust connection in simultaneous contactwith the actuator and diaphragm. and capable of changing the directionof thrust. In v`the first case the spring lever normally stands free ofthe diaphragm or diaphragm projection and with its powerreceivingportion in the path of the cam teeth. The play may be sufficiently'large so that the leverV does not Contact with the diaphragm,l untilafter it has been flung clear of the cam tooth, or the lever may touchand commence its forcing of the diaphragm while it is still beingfoi-eed by the cam. `Where the lever is so constructed and arranged asto contact nori'nally with the diaphragm and to intercept the patlrfofthe cani-teeth, it is primarily a thrust connection. Where the leverarranged to stand normally free of the diaphragm, the diaphragm contactpiece may be adjusted laterally so as to touchl the faceof the lever.Thus the lever may be primarily either a free vibrator' or a thrashconnection according to the adjustment. Where the lever stands free ofthe diaphragm contact, its range of free movement may be varied by meansof this adjustment of the contact laterally of the lever. Thisadjustment between the lever and diaphragm also enables me to. effectfine adjustment of the lever with relation to the rotary cam, becausethe component of movement of the powerreceiving portion of the leverradially of the `actuator when its body portion is forced tobend thespring lever into interceptingv relation. It will be obvious, therefore,that the diaphragm 'and the spring lever may be initially under notension, a state of elastic stress being produced only under theactuation of the rotary cani, or the adjustment between the two may besuch as to maintain them constantly under more or less tension. i j

In addition to the fine adjustment so provided, I prefer to employ arougher adjustment, by a construction permitting the tongue or springlever to be shifted end- Wise, so as to carry the laterally projectingpower-receiving portion toward or from the periphery of the actuator.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention by means of apreferred embodiment thereof: Figure l is a view partly in sideelevation and partly in longitudinal section of' a complete signal;VFig. 2

is a front view with the horn and front section of the diaphragm caseremoved and the spring tongue in section; Fig. 3` is a rear end viewwith a cap removed; and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevationshowing a slightly modicd construction.

In these views, the numeral l() indicates the diaphragm, which ispreferably of thin sheet spr/ing metal, though other material may be"used It is preferably circular in from and inimovably clamped about theedges. Itis shown as being held in a suitisc' as to serve as aneffective amplifier.

Thehornis preferably operated by power means, and preferably byL anelectric motor 17.r This motor is inclosed in a case 18, the

motor and its case being preferably 'in the rear of the diaphragm and.diaphragmfcase andpreferably symmetrical therewith.V As shown, the motorcase is inclosed Within the .cylindrical projection of the diaphragmcase and is concentric therewith.

The drive shaft 19, which inY the illus-i trated embodiment is thearmature shaft,-l

is preferably arranged at a high angle tothe diaphragm, and preferablyperpendicular, thereto atv'the'center thereof. The shaft is shownjournaled near its forward end in a front wall or bridge piece 20 of themotor case and at its rear end in a thrust bearing 21 screwed into abridge piece 22,`which is lsecured tothe rear plate', which in turn issuitably' secured to the case. A lock-nut 23 serves to hold the thrustbearing at the desired adjustment. Suitable spring-pressed brushes 24rest on the armature and supply the motor Withrurrent, contacts 25beingprovided for connection with a supply circuit. lhe commutator andbrushes maybe covered .by a suitable cap 26, held in place by screws orbolts 27. A lubricating duct 28 may lead from the outside of the casestructure throughthe boss 29 in which the forward bearing of the shaftformed.

.The actuation of the diaphragm is effected .from 'the motor or othersource of power Preferably, -I` employ a .rotary cam 30 mounted on the.The cam is preferably av through mechanical means.

drive shaft 19. disk provided witha suitable number of cam teeth oractuating projectionsy 31. These teeth or projections may be variouslyformed. In the construction illustrated they are of' low pitch on theadvancing side andcut away radially at the back.

The cam30 may be housed in a chamber formed by the rear section 12 of.the ldiaphragm case and an extension of the motor case. In fact, thesecases constitute one general case structure. In the particularconstruction illustrated, the rear section 12 is secured with its back'against an outturned flange 33 on the motor case and is provided with acylindrical flange 34 fitting into the vforward extension of the -motorcase.

The intermediate member 32 is preferably in the nature .of'a lever. Inthe best embodiment of the inventum 1t is an vindependently mountedspring or tongue,constituting partly ylelding lever of the second order.

rlhe lever orntonguc supported at one end, thence extends across theface -of the cani 30 with its central or body portion opposite thediaphragm, ands provided at its-free end with an offset thrust-receivingportion opposite the periphery of the cam, in posiglOn to be engaged bythe actuating pro'- Jections thereof. In this way, the radial movementproduced by the thrust of the cam` teeth is converted at the central orintermediateportion of the lever into movement-toward and from'thediaphragm .to vibrate the latter. When Vthe lever is a stiff spring itperforms this operation to best effect, since its slight yieldingenables it to convert a largecomponent of the radial thrusts intomovement parallel to the axis of the cam,

`without transmitting so large a part'of the and is vshaped so that itsfree end portion 35,

occupiesa positionopposite the operating face of the cam. In the form`of lever shown more particularly in Fig. 1', the body of the lever iscurved outward toward the dia-v phragm, so that thev rearward bend ofthe spring metal of which it is formed is not too abrupt. In Fig. 4, thebody part of the lever is substantially parallel to theI diaphragm,though this makes the curve or bend at.the free end more abrupt. Thepower-receiving portion of the tongue or lever is preferably providedwith a wear-piece or anvil 36, which may be formed on or-secured to thelever in any suitable manner. In.the particular constructionillustrated, it is'provided with a threaded shank .'37 passed through anyopening in the offset portion of the lever, and is secured by a nut 38and a lock-nut39 screwed on this shank. Prefl erably the tongue isbroad, as shown in Fig.

2, lso-that suitable strength and stiffness is imparted to it withoutprohibitive stiffness o'r approximate rigidity.

In operation, rotation of the cam v30 causes its teeth to force thevWear-piece 36 successively outward away from the peripherv ofthe cam.The supporter virtual At their contacting regions, the diaphragm andtongue are preferably provided with contact pieces 40-and 41,respectively. One

of these contact pieces is adjustable, and preferably it is the contactpiece carried by the diaphragm. In the particular constructionillustrated 'this piece 4.0 is a screw havingthreaded engagement in asplit sleeve 42 fixed onthediaphragm. The kerfed end pulse of the camtootlrbefore contactingwith the diaphragm or its contact-piece. Therange ot' movement may be such that the tongue commences to force thediaphragm while still being forced by the cam tooth, or it may be flungclear of the cam tooth before contacting with the diaphragm, in whichevent it displaces the diaphragm b v virtue ot' its momentum. Or

the tongue 'may be normally in contact with the diaphragm and with itspower-receiving portion in the path et the cam teeth, in which case thetongue acts as a slightly yielding lever thrust connection. Where acertain amount ot play is permitted before the tongue contacts with thediaphragm, the range of this movement may be varied by adjustment ot'the contactpiece 40. In another case, the tongue may normally stand withits thrust-receiving portion out of the path ot' the actuatingprojections on the rotary member, and in this instance, the wear-piece3G can be adjusted into engaging relation to the cam by screwing thecontact Lt() inward. In any case. `this adjusting device carried by thediaphragm may be utilized to secure fine adjustment ot' the wear piece3G relative to the periphery ot' the cam, the rearward movement of thetongue at its body part having a component at the wear piece radial tothe cam. In fact. I believe it to be broadly new with myselic to providemeans on the diaphragm for adjustment between the diaphragm and themechanical actuating means. Rough adjustment of the tongue I preferablyprovide Jr'or by' rendering the tongue longitudimilly movable. To thisend, I may cause the clamping screws H to engage with slots i5 in thetongue. so that by loosening these screws, the tongue may be movedendwise. to carry the wear-piece $36 further into or out ot' engagementwith the cam teeth, after which the screws may be tightened to clampthetongue in its new position.

The thrust or blow delivered to the diaphragm by the spi-in il lrvrr maybe either substantially normal. a in the torni shown in Fig. -l. orsonwwhat oblique. as indicated in rig. 1'.

I claim:

l. In an alarm or signaling device. a diaphragm. a rotary ram providedwith periplicrair disposed cam projections and disposed with its axispresented endwise to the diaphragm, an independently mounted stift`spring secured to a suitable support at one end, extending across tothe more remote face of the cam and having its tree end disposedopposite the cam and its intermediate portion arranged in operativerelation `and having a thrust-reeeiving portion ofl set at its rear sidein position to be engaged by said peripheral projections.

3. In an alarm or signaling device, a diaphragm, a power-driven rotarycam provided with peripheral cam teeth and having its axis approximatelyat right anglesto the diaphragm, a spring tongue having its body orcentral portion disposed opposite the diaphragm, being clamped to astationary sup port at one end and provided` with an offsetthrust-receiving portion lat the other end opposite the periphery ofsaid cam. and a contact piece on said diaphragm adjustable toward andtrom the 'body or central part oi said tongue.

el. In a mechanical horn, a flexible diaphragm, a vibratory impactmember normally spaced away from and adapted to be forced into`engagement with said diaphragm, an actuating member operating in aconstant plane and adapted to engage said impact member and force itinto engagement with said diaphragm. said impact member being adapted toautomatically return to its normal position within the operative planeot' said actuating member and the portion thereof engaging the diaphragmbeing adapted to pass said normal position under the control of saiddiaphragm irrespective of the position of said actuating member. andmeans actuating said actuating member.

In a mechanical horn, a flexible diaphragm. a flexible vibratory impactmember normally spaced awa y from a ndadapted to be forced intoengagement with said dia# phragm. an actuating member operating in aconstant plane and adapted to engage said impact member at a pointremoved from its point of engagement with the diaphragm and torce itinto engagement with said diaphragm, whereby the resiliency inherent tosaid impact member will cause it to automatically assume and return toits normal position` and the portion thereof en gaging the diaphragm toyield upon the reflex action of the diaphragm so as to pass this normalposition independently oi the engagement of said actuating member therefWith, and means actuating said actuating member.

6. A` horn or signaling device including a diaphragm, an annulardiaphragm clamping member having a large central aperf ture, a rotaryelectric motor having a cylindrical shell, an end Wall integraltherewith, means for ,securingsaid motor to said clamping member withsaid end Wall eX- tending across said aperture, a cam carried by thearmature shaft, and a lever having l one end carried by the motor andhaving the opposite end eigagingwith said cam, and having anintermediate portion for engagement with said diaphragm whereby theremoval of the motor from the diaphragm clamping member carries with itsaid lever.

7. A horn or signaling device including a diaphragm, a diaphragm clamp,a rotary electric motor secured to said clamp including a peripheralshell and an end Wall integral with said shell, a removable end Wallopposite to said integral end wall, brushes carried by' said removableend Wall, a detachable cap inclosing said brushes and e'ngaging with theouter terminal portion of' said peripheral /Wal1, an armature shaftsupported by said end Wall andA presented endwise to said diaphragm, andmeans for vi-v brating saiddiaphragm upon the rotation of said shaft. y

` l 8. A horn or signaling device, including a diaphragm, a diaphragmclamp, a rotary electric motor including a peripheral wall having oneend connected to saidv clamp, a removable endwall at the opposite end ofsaid peripheral Wall, brushes carried by said end Wall, an armatureshaft having one end supportedby said end Wall, and presented endwise tosaid diaphragm, a cup-shaped casing concentric with said motor, and afastening member extending in the direction of the aXis of the motorthrough said casing into said removable end Wall.

' 9. A horn or signaling device, including a diaphragm, a diaphragm,clamp, a rotary electric motor including a peripheral Wall having oneend connected to said clamp, a

` removable end Wall at the opposite endof said peri heral Wall, brushescarried by said end wal, a' cup-shaped casing concentric with saidmotor, and a bolt for fastening said casing in position, said boltextending in the direction of 4the axis of the motor thrlough the casingintol said removable end Wa l.

i Signed at New York in the county and State of New York this 22nd dayof- June A. D. 1911. y JOSEPH W'ILLIAMJGNES.

lWitnesses: v

` ELIZABETH S. CAMPBELL,

FRED K. S'rioKLn.'

